Stuart Fisher, Recognition Express, Harrow

Six months into my business and I am well on my way to reaching my projected first year turnover. After working for 25 years in accountancy and finance I craved a new challenge and saw franchising as a low risk way of being able to work for myself. I would be using a proven business model and would have ongoing support and guidance to hand if needed.

I could not envisage myself as a man in a van, so decided to search for an opportunity that would utilise my experience and skills gained from working as Finance Director of an exhibition and conference venue. Recognition Express appealed because it is a reputable business-to-business franchise.

What I like about Recognition Express is the fact that the support and training is tailored to your individual requirements. Help is available online, by telephone and, if needed, someone will come to see you and help resolve the problem in person. Every few months a 'New Owners' meeting is held, where all of the new Recognition Express franchisees are invited to meet up and discuss ideas. Every four months the franchisor visits to talk through new business development strategies.

At the moment I work from home and outsource a lot of the manufacturing as I have limited time and space while establishing the business. In my second year I hope to have built the business up enough to be able to move to a new premises and focus more time on manufacturing my orders in-house. My aim is to have a turnover of £250,000 by year three.